Title: Mathlock Guard
Author: ishanishr
Published: <strong>September 15, 2026</strong>
Last modified: September 15, 2026

---

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# Mathlock Guard

 By [ishanishr](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ishanishr/)

[Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/mathlock-guard.zip)

 * [Details](https://wordpress.org/plugins/mathlock-guard/#description)
 * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/plugins/mathlock-guard/#reviews)
 *  [Installation](https://wordpress.org/plugins/mathlock-guard/#installation)
 * [Development](https://wordpress.org/plugins/mathlock-guard/#developers)

 [Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/mathlock-guard/)

## Description

Mathlock Guard protects your site’s public-facing content behind a lightweight math
verification challenge. Visitors must correctly answer a simple arithmetic question
before accessing your pages, providing an accessible, low-friction alternative to
traditional CAPTCHA systems. Site administrators and the login page remain fully
accessible at all times, ensuring uninterrupted site management, while all other
visitors, including logged-in users such as editors, authors, and subscribers, are
required to pass the verification screen.

### Demo

Try Mathlock Guard on the author’s website: https://ishanishrestha.com.np

Features include:

 * Random math challenges
 * Administrator bypass
 * Admin dashboard and login page exclusions
 * Nonce verification for form submissions
 * Server-side challenge storage
 * Temporary unlock functionality
 * Separate CSS and template files

## Screenshots

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## Installation

 1. Upload the `mathlock-guard` folder to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory.
 2. Activate the plugin through the WordPress Plugins menu.
 3. Visit the website to test the math lock.

## FAQ

### How long does the website remain unlocked?

The website remains unlocked for 1 minute after the correct answer is submitted.

### Does the lock affect administrators?

No. Users with the `manage_options` capability can bypass the math lock.

### Does the lock affect the WordPress dashboard?

No. The WordPress admin area and login page are excluded from the lock.

## Reviews

There are no reviews for this plugin.

## Contributors & Developers

“Mathlock Guard” is open source software. The following people have contributed 
to this plugin.

Contributors

 *   [ ishanishr ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ishanishr/)

[Translate “Mathlock Guard” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/mathlock-guard)

### Interested in development?

[Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/mathlock-guard/), check
out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/mathlock-guard/), or 
subscribe to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/mathlock-guard/)
by [RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/mathlock-guard/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss).

## Changelog

#### Version 1.8

 * Added translation support with a text domain for localization.
 * Improved compatibility with WordPress localization tools.

#### Version 1.7

 * Changed the unlock duration to 1 minute.
 * Updated the unlock cookie configuration.

#### Version 1.6

 * Added support for a separate CSS stylesheet.
 * Moved the lock page HTML into a separate template file.

#### Version 1.5

 * Added a signed cookie to remember successfully unlocked visitors.
 * Added automatic redirection after a correct answer.

#### Version 1.4

 * Added server-side math answer storage using WordPress transients.
 * Added unique challenge IDs for each math question.
 * Removed reliance on hidden form fields for answer validation.

#### Version 1.3

 * Added nonce protection and verification for form submissions.
 * Added input sanitization for submitted form data.

#### Version 1.2

 * Added an administrator bypass using the `manage_options` capability.
 * Excluded the admin dashboard and login page from the mathlock.

#### Version 1.1

 * Improved form handling and answer validation.
 * Added incorrect-answer error messages.

#### Version 1.0

 * Initial release.
 * Added a random math challenge to restrict website access.
 * Added custom lock page functionality.
 * Added direct-access protection.

## Meta

 *  Version **1.8**
 *  Last updated **23 hours ago**
 *  Active installations **Fewer than 10**
 *  WordPress version ** 6.2 or higher **
 *  Tested up to **7.1**
 *  PHP version ** 8.0 or higher **
 * Tags
 * [access-control](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/access-control/)[bot protection](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/bot-protection/)
   [captcha](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/captcha/)[math captcha](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/math-captcha/)
   [spam prevention](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/spam-prevention/)
 *  [Advanced View](https://wordpress.org/plugins/mathlock-guard/advanced/)

## Ratings

No reviews have been submitted yet.

[Your review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/mathlock-guard/reviews/#new-post)

[See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/mathlock-guard/reviews/)

## Contributors

 *   [ ishanishr ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ishanishr/)

## Support

Got something to say? Need help?

 [View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/mathlock-guard/)